Each year, the Grand County Rural Health Network honors modern-day healthcare pioneers who truly impact the health and lives of individuals and our community. These are individuals in the health field, professionally or as a volunteer, who have contributed significantly to our community.

In 2019, we received seven excellent nominations, all of whom deserve an award for their contributions to our community. The Grand County Rural Health Network Board of Directors ultimately chose not one, but two award recipients this year. The Network is pleased to announce the 2019 recipients of the Award for Excellence in Healthcare Service:

Katie Hornbaker, CRNA and Sue Johnson, MSW, LSW

Katie Hornbaker

Katie Hornbaker is a board Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) who has worked at Middle Park Health (MPH) since 2014. Katie is the sole anesthesia provider and is responsible for all patients having surgery at MPH. She is highly specialized in opioid-free anesthesia and is one of only a few hundred in the nation (out of approximately 100,000 anesthesia providers) that provides this service. She uses a multi-modal approach to treat each patient’s specific needs and individualized care. Katie and the surgical team at MPH have been instrumental in the growth of the services now available, including total joint replacements and ‘emergency room to surgery’ cases.

Katie is also very active in her community. She volunteers at the Pregnancy Resource Connection by providing ultrasounds to expecting mothers. She is involved in her church with the focus of welcoming and including new families. Katie shares her love for volleyball by helping to coach and mentor student volleyball players through the county. She can typically be found out on the slopes or trails with her husband and two daughters and stays active and healthy through her Cross Fit gym.

Schedule of Events

AUGUST 15, 2019

454 County Road 5, Fraser CO

5:30 pm

- Cocktail Hour -

presented by Winter Park Lodging Company

featuring Fraser Valley Distilling signature cocktails

- Silent Auction opens -

6:30 pm

- Delicious BBQ Buffet -

Dessert donated by Mid Town Cafe

- Presentation of the -

Award for Excellence in Health Service

7:30pm

-Live Auction & "Raise the Paddle for Rural Health" Fundraiser -

8 pm – 10 pm

- Mechanical Bull Rides -

presented by Alpine Lumber

- Old-West Photos -

Centerpieces donated by

WoodStem Floral & Decor

Sue Johnson

Sue Johnson is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and is originally from the Detroit Metro area. Sue graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. In the summer of 2001, she was a VIP (Volunteer in the Park) for Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand County. She moved to Grand County permanently in 2002 and worked for Winter Park Resort advancing to the role of Maintenance and Engineering Supervisor. She began her graduate program with the University of Denver in fall of 2015 to pursue her Master’s in Social Work and graduated in May 2017. She completed her internship with the Grand County Rural Health Network during her graduate program and has recently joined their board. During her internship she helped develop the Behavioral Health Navigator Program.

Sue currently works as one of the two Behavioral Health Navigators and an Emergency Clinician at Mind Springs Health for Grand County. Sue lives in Hot Sulphur Springs with her husband and two daughters and enjoys gardening, long hikes in the mountains, cross country skiing, roller skating at the Y, hunting, fishing, and camping with her family. And being a vocal advocate for the community!